Avionics system for assisting implementation of security measures onboard an aircraft, aircraft comprising such a system, and associated method

ABSTRACT

Avionics system for assisting implementation of security measures onboard an aircraft, aircraft comprising such a system, and associated method are provided. The avionics system is intended to assist the occupants of an aircraft in implementing security measures onboard the aircraft. It includes a parameter collector for collecting at least one avionics parameter of the aircraft, a context finder to determine a context from the or each avionics parameter collected by the collector, an instruction identifier to identify at least one relevant security instruction based on the context determined by the context finder, and at least one instruction submitter to submit the or each relevant security instruction to a passenger of the aircraft.

This claims the benefit of French Patent Application FR 16 00713, filedApr. 28, 2016 and hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to an avionics system for assisting theimplementation of security measures onboard an aircraft.

The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising such an avionicssystem, and an associated method for assisting the implementation ofsecurity measures onboard an aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft certification requires compliance with certain securitymeasures during critical flight phases of the aircraft, in particularduring takeoff and landing. These security measures in particularinclude the return of passengers to their respective seats, fasteningseatbelts, closing cabinets, and returning configurable equipment, suchas reclining chairs and tray tables, to a so-called secureconfiguration.

In order for the security measures to be respected, the certificationrequires that aircraft be equipped so as to show passengers regulatedsecurity instructions pertaining to the measures to be respected. Thesesecurity instructions are most often presented in the form of screenprinted or etched elements, panels or labels attached on the equipmentand each bearing text and/or an icon mentioning a security measure to berespected, as well as the flight phase during which this securitymeasure must be carried out. Some security instructions can be backlit,for example when ordered by the pilot or crew of the aircraft, theilluminated state of the security instruction meaning that it must beapplied.

This need to provide information to passengers, combined with theincreasingly complex layouts of aircraft cabins multiplying the lightedpanels and configurable equipment, has led to a significant increase inplacards and stickers mentioning security instructions, to the pointthat the aesthetics of the insides of cabins are now significantlydeteriorated by the presence of these placards and stickers.Furthermore, this information overload increasingly frequently leadspassengers to ignore the security instructions, or to forget to applythem at the applicable moments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aim of the invention is to reduce the space occupied by the displayof security instructions, while allowing aircraft passengers to besufficiently informed, meeting the requirements set out by theregulations. Another aim is to simplify the monitoring of compliancewith security instructions.

An avionics system of the aforementioned type is provided, comprising:

-   -   a parameter collector for collecting at least one avionics        parameter of the aircraft,    -   a context finder to determine a context from the or each        avionics parameter collected by the collector,    -   an instruction identifier to identify at least one relevant        security instruction based on the context determined by the        context finder, and    -   at least one instruction submitter to submit the or each        relevant security instruction to a passenger of the aircraft.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the avionics systemalso comprises one or more of the following features, considered aloneor according to any technically possible combination(s):

-   -   the avionics system comprises a database storing a plurality of        storage security instructions each associated with a        predetermined applicability context, the instruction identifier        being configured to identify the or each stored security        instruction, whose applicability context consists of the context        determined as making up a relevant security instruction;    -   the stored security instructions are each associated with a        respective instruction submitter, and each instruction submitter        is configured to submit only relevant security instructions        associated with said instruction submitter;    -   each of the relevant security instructions is associated with a        priority order, and the or each instruction submitter is        configured to submit the relevant security instructions        successively based on their priority order;    -   the avionics system comprises an instruction sequencer to        determine the priority order of each relevant security        instruction based on the context;    -   the avionics system comprises at least one acceptance member        able to be actuated by a passenger of the aircraft, the or each        acceptance member being associated with a respective instruction        submitter;    -   the or each instruction submitter is configured to wait for the        acceptance member associated with said instruction submitter to        be actuated before submitting, after a first security        instruction, a second security instruction having a priority        order lower than the priority of the first relevant security        instruction,    -   the avionics system comprises a system for verifying the        acceptance of the or each relevant security instruction by the        passenger of the aircraft, said verification system comprising a        member for identifying an acceptance state of each relevant        security instruction, configured to impart an accepted value to        the acceptance state of a relevant security instruction when an        acceptance member is actuated while said relevant instruction is        displayed by the instruction submitter with which the acceptance        member is associated;    -   the verification system comprises a verification viewer to        display the acceptance state of the or each relevant security        instruction;    -   the avionics system comprises a sensor system associated with at        least one piece of equipment of the aircraft to detect a        configuration of said piece(s) of equipment, and a monitoring        system to monitor, for the or each relevant security        instruction, the application of said relevant security        instruction, said monitoring system comprising a member for        deducing an application state of the or each relevant security        instruction based on the configuration detected by the sensor        system;    -   the monitoring system comprises a monitoring viewer to display        the application state of the or each relevant security        instruction;    -   a viewable instruction is associated with the or each relevant        security instruction, and the or each instruction submitter        comprises a display viewer in order to show the associated        viewable instruction for the or each relevant security        instruction submitted by said instruction submitter; and    -   the or each instruction submitter comprises an audio device        configured to emit a sound upon each new display of a relevant        security instruction by said instruction submitter.

An aircraft comprising an avionics system as described above is alsoprovided.

A method for assisting the implementation of security measures onboardan aircraft is also provided, comprising the following steps:

-   -   collecting at least one avionics parameter of the aircraft,    -   determining a context from the or each collected avionics        parameter,    -   identifying at least one relevant security instruction based on        the context determined, and    -   submitting the or each relevant security instruction to a        passenger of the aircraft.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the assistancemethod also comprises one or more of the following features, consideredalone or according to any technically possible combination(s):

-   -   submitting the or each relevant security instruction comprises        temporarily submitting a viewable instruction associated with        the relevant security instruction.    -   security instructions are stored in a database, each being        associated with a predetermined context, and the or each        relevant instruction is made up of a stored security instruction        associated with the determined context,    -   the method comprises a step for a passenger to signal acceptance        of a displayed security instruction,    -   the step for signaling acceptance of a displayed security        instruction comprises the actuation, by the user, of an        acceptance member associated with a respective instruction        submitter while said instruction submitter is submitting said        displayed security instruction,    -   the step for displaying relevant security instructions comprises        a first step for displaying a first relevant security        instruction, followed by a second step for displaying a second        relevant security instruction, the second display step following        the signaling of acceptance of the first relevant security        instruction or occurring upon expiration of a predetermined        length of time after beginning the first display step,    -   the method comprises a step for verifying the acceptance of the        or each relevant security instruction by the passenger of the        aircraft, said verification step comprising the display of an        acceptance state of said relevant security instruction on a        verification viewer, for the or each relevant security        instruction,    -   the method comprises a step for detecting a configuration of the        aircraft cabin and a step for monitoring the application of the        or each relevant security instruction, the monitoring step        comprising deducing an application state of the or each relevant        security instruction based on the cabin configuration;    -   the monitoring step comprises a step for displaying, on a        monitoring viewer and for the or each relevant security        instruction, the application state of said relevant security        instruction; and    -   the assistance method is implemented by an avionics system as        defined above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon readingthe following description, provided solely as an example and done inreference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation and partial sectional view of anaircraft according to an embodiment the invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first alternative of an avionics systemequipping the aircraft of FIG. 1 for assisting implementation ofsecurity measures onboard this aircraft,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second alternative of the avionics systemof FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a third alternative of the avionics systemof FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method implemented by theavionics system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The aircraft 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an airplane. In a known manner, thisaircraft 10 comprises a fuselage 12 defining an inner passengercompartment 14. The inner passenger compartment 14 is divided into acockpit 16, the use of which is reserved for the pilots of the aircraft10, and a cabin 18 intended to accommodate passengers, said cabinextending from behind the cockpit to the baggage hold space.

The cabin 18 contains cabin equipment 20, 22, 24. This cabin equipment20, 22, 24 in particular comprises configurable equipment 20, 22,including reclining chairs 20 and a tray table 22, and cabinets 24. Asindicated in the preamble of the present application, for securityreasons, during certain critical flight phases of the aircraft 10, eachpiece of configurable equipment 20, 22 must be returned to a so-called“secure” configuration, and each cabinet 24 must be closed. It is thusnecessary, during these critical flight phases of the aircraft 10, toperform certain actions, in particular on the configurable pieces ofequipment 20, 22 and the cabinets 24, to place the cabin 18 in aso-called “secure” configuration. Here and below, we will describe theseactions as “security measures”.

In order to facilitate the implementation of these security measures,the aircraft 10 comprises an avionics assistance system 30. FIG. 2 showsa first alternative of this system 30.

In reference to FIG. 2, the assistance system 30 comprises a parametercollector 32 for collecting at least one, preferably a plurality ofavionics parameters P_(i) of the aircraft, as well as a system ofsensors 34 for detecting a measured configuration CE_(i) of each pieceof cabin equipment 20, 22, 24 of the aircraft 10, and a context finder36 for determining a security context C from the avionics parametersP_(i) and the measured configuration CE_(i) of each piece of cabinequipment 20, 22, 24.

The avionics parameters P_(i) are made up of the information produced bythe avionics systems of the aircraft 10 and in particular relative to:

-   -   the configuration of the aircraft 10, i.e., the deployed or        retracted state of a plurality of members of the aircraft 10        such as the leading-edge slats, the landing gear and/or the        flaps,    -   the state of the aircraft 10, i.e., the operating or failure        state of flight equipment of the aircraft 10,    -   the mission context, i.e., in particular the flight plan        programmed into the flight management system of the aircraft 10,    -   environmental data, i.e., the weather conditions encountered by        the aircraft 10, as well as the instructions sent to the        aircraft 10 by the air control systems,    -   the current altitude of the aircraft 10, and    -   the flight phase of the aircraft 10.

In order to be able to collect these avionics parameters P_(i), thecollector 32 is in communication with the other avionics systems of theaircraft 10, and is suitable for receiving the avionics parameters P_(i)from these avionics systems. The collector 32 is also configured to sendthese avionics parameters P_(i) to the context finder 36.

The measured configuration CE_(i) of each piece of cabin equipment 20,22, 24 depends on the piece of cabin equipment 20, 22, 24 in question.For example, for each reclining chair 20, two configurations CE_(i) aredetected: a first measured configuration CE_(i) relates to the inclinedor upright position of the back of the reclining chair 20, and istypically detected by an end-of-travel sensor, and a second measuredconfiguration CE_(i) relates to the presence or absence of a load on theseat bottom of the reclining chair 20, and is for example detected by apiezoelectric sensor housed in the seat bottom of the reclining chair20. The measured configuration CE_(i) of the tray table 22 typicallypertains to the retracted or deployed state of the tray table 22,detected for example using an end-of-travel sensor, and the measuredconfiguration CE_(i) of each cabinet 24 typically pertains to the openor closed state of the cabinet 24, also detected with an end-of-travelsensor.

The set of measured configurations CE_(i) of the various pieces of cabinequipment 20, 22, 24 forms what will subsequently be referred to as aconfiguration of the cabin 18.

The system of sensors 34 is configured to send the measuredconfiguration CE_(i) of each piece of cabin equipment 20, 22, 24 to thecontext finder 36.

The context finder 36 is configured to receive the avionics parametersP_(i) and the measured configurations CE_(i) of the different pieces ofcabin equipment 20, 22, 24, and to analyze these parameters P_(i) andconfigurations CE_(i) so as to determine the context C.

The avionics system 30 also comprises a database 38 storing a pluralityof storage security instructions CS_(k), and an instruction identifier40 to identify relevant security instructions CSP_(j) from among thestorage security instructions CS_(k), based on the context C determinedby the context finder 36. The avionics system 30 further comprises asubmission system 42 with a plurality of instruction submitters 44, 46,48 to submit the relevant security instructions CSP_(j) to thepassengers of the aircraft 10.

Each stored security instruction CS_(k) is associated in the database 38with an applicability context CA_(k) of the security instruction CS_(k),an instruction submitter identifier PC_(k) designating one of theinstruction submitters 44, 46, 48, and a post-application configurationCAA_(k) representative of the configuration that one of the pieces ofcabin equipment 20, 22, 24 must occupy after the storage securityinstruction CS_(k) has been applied.

Each stored security instruction CS_(k) is also associated with aspecific priority order O_(k) in the database 38. This priority orderO_(k) is determined based on the criticality (minor, major, dangerous orcatastrophic) of events that may be caused by the failure to send saidsecurity instruction CS_(k) when this security instruction CS_(k) is arelevant security instruction CSP_(j), and the likelihood of occurrence(extremely unlikely, extremely rare, rare or likely) of these events,such that the security instructions CS_(k) which, if not sent, may causethe most critical events with the highest likelihoods are associatedwith the highest priority orders O_(k). Thus, each stored securityinstruction CS_(k) which, if not sent, may cause an event with a givencriticality and a given likelihood is associated with a priority orderO_(k) higher than the priority order O_(k) associated with each otherstored security instruction CS_(k) which, if not sent, may only causeevents with a criticality lower than the given criticality, with anoccurrence likelihood lower than or equal to the given occurrencelikelihood, and events with a criticality lower than or equal to thegiven criticality with an occurrence likelihood lower than the givenoccurrence likelihood.

The instruction identifier 40 is in communication with the database 38and is configured to receive the determined context C from the contextfinder 36. The instruction identifier 40 is also configured to identifyeach stored security instruction CS_(k) whose applicability contextCA_(k) is the context C determined as making up one of the relevantsecurity instructions CSP_(j).

The instruction identifier 40 is lastly configured to send thesubmission system 42 each of the identified relevant securityinstructions CSP_(j) with, for each instruction CSP_(j), the instructionsubmitter identifier PC_(j) and the priority order O_(j) with which itis associated.

The submission system 42 is configured so that each instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48 only submits the relevant instructions CSP_(j)associated with an instruction submitter identifier PC_(j) identifyingit. To that end, the submission system 42 comprises a sorting member 50suitable for sorting the relevant security instructions CSP_(j) based oninstruction submitter identifiers PC_(j) with which they are associatedand sending each instruction submitter 44, 46, 48, respectively, onlythe relevant security instructions CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q), associatedwith an instruction submitter identifier PC_(j) identifying it.

It will be noted that in the example shown in FIG. 1, the instructionsubmitters 44, 46, 48 comprise two submitters 44, 46 each positionednear a respective reclining chair 20, and a submitter 48 positioned nearthe cabinets 24. The stored instructions CS_(k) associated with theinstruction submitters 44, 46 thus preferably comprise instructionsrelative to placing the reclining chairs 20 in the upright position andstowing the tray table 22, and the stored instructions CS_(k) associatedwith the instruction submitter 48 preferably comprise instructionsrelative to closing the cabinets 24.

Each stored security instruction CS_(k), and therefore each relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j), preferably comprises a viewableinstruction. In order to allow this instruction to be submitted, eachinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, adisplay viewer 52 configured to display the viewable instructions of therelevant security instructions CSP_(j) that are associated with it.

Advantageously, each instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 also comprises, asshown, an audio device 54 configured to emit a sound upon each newsubmission of a relevant security instruction CSP_(j) by saidinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48, this sound preferably being formed bya beep and/or by the reading, by a recorded voice or a synthetic voice,of the viewable instruction.

The avionics system 30 further comprises acceptance members 64, 66, 68,respectively, each associated with a respective instruction submitter44, 46, 48, respectively.

Each acceptance member 64, 66, 68 can be actuated by the passengers.Each acceptance member 64, 66, 68 is in particular intended to beactuated by a passenger when this passenger has seen the relevantsecurity instructions CSP_(j) submitted by the instruction submitter 44,46, 48 with which the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 is associated; tothat end, the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 is for example positionednear the viewer 52 of the instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 with which itis associated.

Each instruction submitter 44, 46, 48, respectively, is configured tosubmit the relevant security instructions that are assigned to it, CSPm,CSP_(p), CSP_(q), successively based on their respective priorityorders, O_(m), O_(p), O_(q), respectively. In particular, eachinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 is configured to first submit therelevant security instruction CSP_(j) that, among that the relevantsecurity instructions CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that are assigned to it,has the highest priority order O_(j), then the relevant securityinstruction CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that is assigned to it whosepriority order O_(m), O_(p), O_(q) comes immediately afterwards, and soforth.

Preferably, each instruction submitter 44, 46, 48, respectively, isconfigured to submit the relevant security instructions CSP_(m),CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that are assigned to it according to one of thesubmission alternatives described below.

According to a first submission alternative, the instruction submitter44, 46, 48 is configured to submit all of the relevant securityinstructions CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that are assigned to it at thesame time, during the entire duration during which said instructionsCSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) remain relevant.

According to a second submission alternative, the instruction submitter44, 46, 48 is configured to wait for the expiration of a predeterminedduration after the beginning of the submission of a first relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) before submitting, as a replacement forsaid first relevant security instruction CSP_(j), a second relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) having a priority order O_(j) lower thanthe priority order O_(j) of the first relevant security instructionCSP_(j).

According to a third submission alternative, the instruction submitter44, 46, 48 is configured to wait for the expiration of a predeterminedduration after the beginning of the submission of a first relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) before submitting, as a replacement forsaid first relevant security instruction CSP_(j), a second relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) having a priority order O_(j) lower thanthe priority order O_(j) of the first relevant security instructionCSP_(j), while being configured to submit the second relevant securityinstructions CSP_(j) as a replacement for the first relevant securityinstruction CSP_(j) before the expiration of said predetermined durationwhen the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 associated with said instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48 is actuated.

Lastly, according to a fourth submission alternative, the instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48 is configured to wait, without time limit, for theactuation of the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 associated with saidinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 before submitting, as a replacement forthe first relevant security instruction CSP_(j), the second relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j).

Advantageously, all of the instruction submitters 44, 46, 48 are notconfigured to submit the relevant security instructions CSP_(m),CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that are assigned to them according to a samesubmission alternative. In other words, at least one instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48 configured to submit the relevant securityinstructions CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that are assigned to it accordingto a submission alternative different from that according to which atleast one other instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 is configured to submitthe relevant security instructions CSP_(m), CSP_(p), CSP_(q) that areassigned to it.

The avionics system 30 further comprises a verification system 70verifying the acceptance of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j)by the passengers of the aircraft 10. This verification system 70comprises a member 72 for identifying an acceptance state E1_(j) of eachrelevant instruction CSP_(j), and a verification viewer 74 to displaythe acceptance state E1_(j) of each relevant instruction CSP_(j).

The identification member 72 is configured to receive, for eachacceptance member 64, 66, 68, an actuating signal SA of the acceptancemember 64, 66, 68 by a passenger of the aircraft 10. The identificationmember 72 is also configured to receive, for each instruction submitter44, 46, 48, a piece of information IR_(j) representative of the relevantinstruction CSP_(j) shown by said instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 atthe moment at which the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 associated withsaid instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 has been actuated.

The identification member 72 is further configured to assign theacceptance state E1_(j) of each relevant instruction CSP_(j) an initialnon-accepted value, and to convert this initial value into a subsequentaccepted value when the relevant instruction CSP_(j) is shown by aninstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 at the moment when the acceptancemember 64, 66, 68 associated with said instruction submitter 44, 46, 48is actuated.

The verification viewer 74 is advantageously intended to be viewed bythe onboard personnel, in particular by the pilots. To that end, theverification viewer 74 is preferably positioned in the cockpit 16.

The avionics system 30 further comprises a monitoring system 80 tomonitor, for each relevant security instruction CSP_(j), the applicationof said relevant security instruction CSP_(j). To that end, themonitoring system 80 comprises a member 82 for deducing an applicationstate E2_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j), and amonitoring viewer 84 to display the application state E2_(j) of eachrelevant instruction CSP_(j).

The deducing member 82 is configured to receive the measuredconfiguration CE_(j) of each piece of cabin equipment 20, 22, 24 fromthe system of sensors 34, and to receive each relevant securityinstruction CSP_(j) and the post-application configuration CAA_(j) withwhich it is associated from the instruction identifier 40. The deducingmember 82 is also configured to deduce the application state E2_(j) ofeach relevant security instruction CSP_(j) from these data. Inparticular, the deducing member 82 is configured to compare, for eachrelevant security instruction CSP_(j), the post-applicationconfiguration CAA_(j) with which said relevant security instructionCSP_(j) is associated with the measured configuration CE₁ of each pieceof cabin equipment 20, 22, 24, and to deduce therefrom that theapplication state E2_(j) of said relevant security instruction CSP_(j)has the value:

-   -   applied, when the post-application configuration CAA_(j) with        which the relevant security instruction CSP_(j) is associated        corresponds to one of the measured configurations CE₁, or    -   not applied when the post-application configuration CAA_(j) with        which the relevant security instruction CSP_(j) is associated        does not correspond to any of the measured configurations CE₁.

The monitoring viewer 84 is advantageously intended to be viewed by theonboard personnel, in particular by the pilots. To that end, themonitoring viewer 84 is preferably positioned in the cockpit 16.

Advantageously, the verification 74 and monitoring 84 viewers are mergedinto a single viewer for example belonging to the electronic flight bagof the aircraft 10.

The second alternative of the assistance system 30, shown in FIG. 3,only differs from the first alternative of FIG. 2 for the features setout below.

Unlike the first alternative, the assistance system 30 in the secondalternative does not comprise a sorting member 50, and no instructionsubmitter identifier PC_(k), PC_(j) is associated with the securityinstructions CS_(k), CSP_(j). In this alternative, the instructionidentifier 40 is configured to send each relevant security instructionCSP_(j), with its associated priority order O_(j), to each instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48.

Each instruction submitter 44, 46, 48 then comprises a filter 90 forfiltering the received relevant security instructions CSP_(j), and isconfigured to submit only the relevant instructions CSP_(j) whosetransmission is not blocked by the filter 90.

The filter 90 comprises a database 92 containing a list of authorizedinstructions for the instruction submitter 44, 46, 48, and aninstruction comparator 94 configured to compare each received relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) to the authorized instructions contained inthe list and to determine, based on this comparison, whether therelevant instruction CSP_(j) can be sent for submission or must beblocked. The instruction comparator 94 is in particular configured toauthorize the transmission of a received relevant security instructionCSP_(j) when this instruction CSP_(j) corresponds to one of theauthorized security instructions, and to block said transmission whenthe relevant security instruction CSP_(j) does not correspond to any ofthe authorized security instructions.

This second alternative makes it possible to facilitate the managementof the submission of relevant security instructions CSP_(j) by theinstruction submitters 44, 46, 48, in particular by making theassistance system 30 more configurable, and improves the overallreliability of the system 30.

The third alternative of the assistance system 30, shown in FIG. 4, onlydiffers from the first alternative of FIG. 2 for the features set outbelow.

Unlike the first alternative, each stored security instruction CS_(k) isnot, in this third alternative, associated with a priority order O_(k)in the database 38. As a replacement, the assistance system 30 in thisthird alternative comprises an instruction sequencer 60 configured todetermine the priority order O_(j) of each relevant security instructionCSP_(j).

The instruction sequencer 60 is in particular configured to receive therelevant security instructions CSP_(j) and the instruction submitteridentifiers PC_(j) from the instruction identifier 40, to receive thedetermined context C from the context finder 36, and to determine thepriority order O_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j) basedon the determined context C. To that end, the instruction sequencer 60is configured to identify events that may be caused by thenon-transmission of said relevant security instruction CSP_(j), assessthe contextual criticality (minor, major, dangerous or catastrophic),depending on the context C, and the contextual likelihood of occurrence(extremely unlikely, extremely rare, rare or likely), also depending onthe context C, of these events, and associate the highest priorityorders O_(j) with the relevant security instructions CS_(j) whereofnon-transmission is likely to cause events having the highest contextualcriticalities with the highest contextual likelihoods of occurrence.

The instruction sequencer 60 is also configured to send the submissionsystem 42 the priority order O_(j) of each relevant security instructionCSP_(j).

A method 100 for assisting with the implementation of security measuresonboard the aircraft 10, implemented using the assistance system 30,will now be described in reference to FIG. 5.

This method 100 begins with a first step 110 for collecting avionicsparameters, during which the collector 32 collects the avionicsparameters P_(i) from the other avionics systems.

This step 110 is accompanied by a step 120 for a first detection of theconfiguration of the cabin 18 of the aircraft 10, during which thesystem of sensors 34 detects the measured configurations CE_(i) of thevarious pieces of cabin equipment 20, 22, 24.

These steps 110, 120 are followed by a step 130 for determining acontext, during which the context determiner 36 determines the context Cusing avionics parameters P_(i) and measured configurations CE_(i).

Steps 110, 120 and 130 are repeated all throughout the implementation ofthe method 100, so as to update the context C based on the evolution ofthe avionics parameters P_(i) and measured configurations CE_(i).

Step 130 is followed by a step 140 for identifying relevant securityinstructions, during which the instruction identifier 40 identifies therelevant security instructions CSP_(j). This step 140 comprises asub-step 142 for selecting stored security instructions CS_(k)associated with the context C, during which the context identifier 40selects the stored security instructions CS_(k) associated with thecontext C from the database 38 and identifies them as constituting therelevant security instructions CSP_(j).

Step 140 is followed by a step 150 for displaying relevant securityinstructions CSP_(j), during which the relevant security instructionsCSP_(j) are displayed by the instruction submitters 44, 46, 48. Thisdisplay step 150 comprises a first sub-step 152 for displaying a firstrelevant security instruction, during which a first relevant securityinstruction CSP_(j), associated with a first priority order O_(i), isdisplayed by a viewer 44, 46, 48, followed by a second sub-step 154 forsubmitting a second relevant security instruction, during which a secondrelevant security instructions CSP_(j), associated with a secondpriority order O_(j) lower than the first priority order, is displayedby the same viewer 44, 46, 48. Each of these sub-steps 152, 154,respectively, comprises a sub-step 156 for displaying an associatedviewable instruction, during which the viewable instruction associatedwith the first, second, respectively, relevant security instructionCSP_(j) is temporarily displayed by the viewer 52 of the instructionsubmitter 44, 46, 48, and a simultaneous audio emission sub-step 158,during which a beep is emitted by the audio emitting device 54 of theinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48.

In the case where, due to the evolution of the context C, a relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j) ceases to be relevant, the display of thelatter is interrupted.

The method 100 also comprises a step 162 for signaling the acceptance ofthe first relevant security instruction, during which a passengeractuates the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 associated with theinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 submitting the first relevant securityinstruction CSP_(j). This step 162 is concomitant with the step forsubmitting the first relevant security instruction 152 and precedes thestep for submitting the second relevant security instruction 154.

The method 100 further comprises a step 164 for signaling the acceptanceof the second relevant security instruction, during which a passengeractuates the acceptance member 64, 66, 68 associated with theinstruction submitter 44, 46, 48 submitting the second relevant securityinstruction CSP_(j). This step 164 is concomitant with the step forsubmitting the second relevant security instruction 154.

The method 100 also comprises a step 170 for verifying acceptance of therelevant security instructions CSP_(j). This step 170 comprises a firstsub-step 172 for updating the acceptance state E1_(j) of each relevantsecurity instruction CSP_(j), during which the identification member 72updates the acceptance states E1_(j) of the relevant securityinstructions CSP_(j) based on the actuating signals SA of the acceptancemembers 64, 66, 68 that it receives. This first sub-step 172 isaccompanied by a second sub-step for displaying the acceptance stateE1_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j), during which theacceptance state E1_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j) isdisplayed by the verification viewer 74, so as to inform the onboardpersonnel, in particular the pilots, of this acceptance state E1_(j),

Step 170 is repeated all throughout the implementation of the method100.

The method 100 lastly comprises a step 180 for monitoring theapplication of the relevant security instructions CSP_(j). This step 180comprises a first sub-step 181 for a second detection of theconfiguration of the cabin 18 of the aircraft 10, during which thesystem of sensors 34 updates the measured configurations CE_(i) of thevarious pieces of cabin equipment 20, 22, 24. This first sub-step 181 isfollowed by a second sub-step 182 for producing the application stateE2_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j), during which thededuction member 82 deduces the application state E2_(j) of eachrelevant security instruction CSP_(j) based on the updated measuredconfigurations CE_(i). A third sub-step 184 for displaying theapplication state E2_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j)follows the second step 182; during this third sub-step 184, theapplication state E2_(j) of each relevant security instruction CSP_(j)is displayed by the monitoring viewer 84, so as to inform the onboardpersonnel, in particular the pilots, of this application E2_(j).

Step 180 is repeated all throughout the implementation of the method100.

Owing to the method and system described above, it is thus possible tosignificantly reduce the space occupied by the display of securityinstructions, since only the security instructions relevant at a givenmoment will be displayed at that moment.

The method and system further allow better taking into account ofsecurity instructions by the passengers, since these instructions areonly displayed when they must be taken into account. The temporarynature of this display then forces passengers to pay attention to thedisplay.

Lastly, the method and system allow better monitoring of the takingaccount of security instructions and the application of these securityinstructions by the passengers, owing to the display of the acceptanceE1_(j) and application E2_(j) states of the relevant securityinstructions CSP_(j) by the viewers 74, 84.

What is claimed is:
 1. An avionics system for assisting in implementingsecurity measures onboard an aircraft, the avionics system comprising: aparameter collector configured for collecting at least one avionicsparameter of the aircraft, a context finder configured to determine acontext from the or each avionics parameter collected by the collector,an instruction identifier configured to identify at least one relevantsecurity instruction based on the context determined by the contextfinder, and at least one instruction submitter configured to submit theor each relevant security instruction to a passenger of the aircraft. 2.The avionics system according to claim 1, further comprising a databasestoring a plurality of storage security instructions each associatedwith a predetermined applicability context, the instruction identifierbeing configured to identify the or each stored security instruction,whose applicability context consists of the context determined as makingup a relevant security instruction.
 3. The avionics system according toclaim 2, wherein the stored security instructions are each associatedwith a respective instruction submitter, and each instruction submitteris configured to submit only relevant security instructions associatedwith the instruction submitter.
 4. The avionics system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the relevant security instructions isassociated with a priority order, and the or each instruction submitteris configured to submit the relevant security instructions successivelybased on the priority order of the relevant security instructions. 5.The avionics system according to claim 4, comprising an instructionsequencer to determine the priority order of each relevant securityinstruction based on the context.
 6. The avionics system according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one acceptance member configuredfor actuation by a passenger of the aircraft, the or each acceptancemember being associated with a respective instruction submitter.
 7. Theavionics system according to claim 6, further comprising a system forverifying the acceptance of the or each relevant security instruction bythe passenger of the aircraft, the verification system comprising amember for identifying an acceptance state of each relevant securityinstruction, configured to impart an accepted value to the acceptancestate of a relevant security instruction when an acceptance member isactuated while the relevant instruction is submitted by the instructionsubmitter with which the acceptance member is associated.
 8. Theavionics system according to claim 7, wherein the verification systemcomprises a verification viewer to display the acceptance state of theor each relevant security instruction.
 9. The avionics system accordingto claim 1, comprising a sensor system associated with at least onepiece of cabin equipment of the aircraft to detect a configuration ofthe piece(s) of cabin equipment, and a monitoring system to monitor, forthe or each relevant security instruction, the application of therelevant security instruction, the monitoring system comprising a memberfor deducing an application state of the or each relevant securityinstruction based on the configuration detected by the sensor system.10. The avionics system according to claim 9, wherein the monitoringsystem comprises a monitoring viewer to display the application state ofthe or each relevant security instruction.
 11. The avionics systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a viewable instruction is associated withthe or each relevant security instruction, and the or each instructionsubmitter comprises a submission display in order to show the associatedviewable instruction for the or each relevant security instructionsubmitted by the instruction submitter.
 12. An aircraft comprising anavionics system according to claim
 1. 13. A method for assisting theimplementation of security measures onboard an aircraft, comprising thefollowing steps: collecting at least one avionics parameter of theaircraft, determining a context from the or each collected avionicsparameter, identifying at least one relevant security instruction basedon the determined context, and submitting the or each relevant securityinstruction to a passenger of the aircraft.
 14. The assistance methodaccording to claim 13, wherein submitting of the or each relevantsecurity instruction comprises temporarily showing a viewableinstruction associated with the relevant security instruction.
 15. Theassistance method according to claim 13, wherein security instructionsare stored in a database, each being associated with a predeterminedcontext, and the or each relevant instruction is made up of a storedsecurity instruction associated with the determined context.
 16. Theassistance method according to claim 13, further comprising receiving asignal acceptance of a displayed security instruction from thepassenger.
 17. The assistance method according to claim 16, wherein thereceiving a signal acceptance includes receiving the passenger'sactuation of an acceptance member associated with a respectiveinstruction submitter while the instruction submitter is submitting thedisplayed security instruction.
 18. The assistance method according toclaim 13, wherein displaying relevant security instructions comprisesdisplaying a first relevant security instruction, followed by displayinga second relevant security instruction, the displaying of the secondrelevant security instruction following a signaling of acceptance of thefirst relevant security instruction or occurring upon expiration of apredetermined length of time after beginning the displaying of the firstrelevant security instruction.
 19. The assistance method according toclaim 13 further comprising verifying acceptance of the or each relevantsecurity instruction by the passenger of the aircraft, the verifyingcomprising the display of an acceptance state of the relevant securityinstruction on a verification viewer, for the or each relevant securityinstruction.
 20. The assistance method according to claim 13 furthercomprising detecting a configuration of the aircraft cabin andmonitoring the application of the or each relevant security instruction,the monitoring comprising deducing an application state of the or eachrelevant security instruction based on the configuration of the aircraftcabin.